Samsun authorities investigate possible illegal smuggling of macaque monkey

A macaque monkey was captured by firefighters after being spotted roaming rooftops in the İlkadım district of Samsun, Turkey. Residents in the Kıran and Çatalarmut neighborhoods alerted emergency services after seeing the animal on top of a five-story building.

Following its capture, the monkey briefly escaped at a fire station by hiding under a vehicle before being secured. It has since been handed over to the Samsun Nature Conservation and National Parks Directorate.

Dr. Can Nacar from Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine stated that the animal appears to be in good health. However, officials suspect the macaque may have been smuggled into the country illegally, as the species is not native to Turkey's natural environment. Because keeping this exotic species is not legal in Turkey, authorities are coordinating with the university and the 11th Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks to transfer the animal to an appropriate facility.